LFC Marks IDAHOBIT

Liverpool Football Club celebrated International Day Against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia at a special ceremony at Anfield on Saturday.

The club hosted an event for 30 invited guests, which included a guided tour of the stadium and interactive museum.

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Gary Millar and Paul Amann, Liverpool FC Supporters' Committee LGBT representative both made short addresses to the guests about the importance of IDAHOBIT.

The date of May 17, 1990 commemorates the day the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental diseases.

Over 80 countries in the world still criminalize same sex relationships while in many countries lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and those who identify as transgender are often attacked simply for their sexuality or gender identity.

IDAHOBIT is now celebrated in more than 120 countries, with advocates staging hundreds of activities, events and actions all over the world that unite millions of people in support for the upholding of human rights for all, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Michelle Kirk, equality and inclusion advisor at Liverpool Football Club, said: "Liverpool FC is committed to promoting equality and diversity and wanted to mark this day with the key organisations it works alongside to help promote inclusion and raise awareness."

Paul Amann, Liverpool FC Supporters' Committee LGBT representative, added: "This year's marking of IDAHOBIT by Liverpool FC is another first and I am proud that the club is choosing to affirm its commitment to LGBT people and recognise our place in the LFC Family."